The Wines of British Columbia is proud to announce the winners of the inaugural Best of BC Wine Country Awards 2017 this wine touring season. From July 26 through August 15, wine goers took their time, sampled and savoured what BC’s acclaimed wine regions have to offer, and have made their choices.
The Best of BC Wine Country is a crowd-sourced online survey curated by the BC Wine Institute, inviting the public to vote on their favourite BC wine experiences from a variety of “Best of” categories relating to BC Wine & Culinary Tourism: Best BC Wine; Best Culinary; Best Experience; Best Atmosphere.
From the coastal regions of Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley, to regions with desert-like conditions including the Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley, celebrate the top picks for best wines to taste, places to stay, patios to visit, restaurants to dine at, moments to savour and the people whose passion makes visiting BC’s wine regions an unrivalled experience.
“The participation from wine visitors who took the time to vote for their favourite experiences while touring BC wineries this summer was outstanding, and we’re thrilled to share their choices!” exclaims Kim Barnes marketing director of the BC Wine Institute. “The results show authentic recommendations from the public on what to do and where to go for the best wine touring experience throughout BC’s diverse wine touring regions.”
Among their picks, you’ll find some well-known favourites as well as a few ‘best kept secrets’ revealed. Whether it’s for the wine experience, the local culinary, culture, art, or the scenic views, BC Wine Country has something special to offer all year-round.
From Most romantic getaways to being recently dubbed ‘a highly attractive wine tourist destination’ in Forbes Magazine, BC’s wine region is being recognized both nationally and internationally, gaining appreciation from wine critics around the world for its stunning views and award-winning wines.
“With 276 BC wineries open to the public, 46 winery restaurants throughout the province and more than 1,500 award-winning wines available in your backyard, now’s the time to experience BC Wine Country first hand. These results are a true testament to the level of experiences BC wine country has to offer,” notes Barnes.
With harvest upon us and after a cool and wet spring, followed by a hot and dry summer, local winegrowers are looking forward to great 2017 grape harvest. Find out what BC Wine events and activities are happening in wine country this harvest season at WineBC.com/events.
Here are the winners of the Best of BC Wine Country Awards, inaugural edition. For the full list of winners and honourable mentions visit: Bestof.WineBC.com
BEST OF BC SPARKLING
Okanagan Valley
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Brut
Similkameen Valley
Corcelettes Estate Winery Sante
Fraser Valley
Backyard Vineyards Blanc de Noir Brut
Vancouver Island
Averill Creek Vineyard Brut 2010
Emerging Regions
Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Sparkling Chardonnay 2015
BEST OF BC ROSÉ
Okanagan Valley
Dirty Laundry Vineyard Hush Rosé
Similkameen Valley
Seven Stones Winery Pinot Rosé
Fraser Valley
Backyard Vineyards Rosé
Vancouver Island
Tie between:
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Rosé
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Rosé
Emerging Regions
Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
BEST OF BC RED
Okanagan Valley
Painted Rock Estate Winery Red Icon 2014
Similkameen Valley
Orofino Winery Scout Syrah 2016
Fraser Valley
Backyard Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2015
Vancouver Island
Enrico Winery Cabernet Foch 2015
Emerging Regions
Fort Berens Estate Winery Meritage 2014
BEST OF BC WHITE
Okanagan Valley
Tantalus Vineyards Riesling
Similkameen Valley
Orofino Winery Scout Vineyard Riesling
Fraser Valley
Backyard Vineyards Nosey Neighbour White
Vancouver Island
Tie between:
Unsworth Vineyards Allegro
Unsworth Vineyards Sauvignette
Emerging Regions
Fort Berens Estate Winery Dry Reisling 2016
BEST OF BC WINERY RESTAURANT
Okanagan Valley
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Bacchus Bistro at Domaine de Chaberton
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
The Kitchen at Fort Berens Estate Winery
BEST OF BC RESTAURANT SHOWCASING LOCAL FOODS
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Bacchus Bistro at Domaine de Chaberton
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
The Kitchen at Fort Berens Estate Winery
BEST OF BC LOCAL FOOD PRODUCT
Okanagan Valley
Poplar Grove Cheese in Penticton
Similkameen Valley
Harker’s Fruit Stand Organic Tomatoes
Fraser Valley
Vista D’oro Farm & Winery Jams
Vancouver Island
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks Cranberry Pepper Cream cheese
BEST OVERALL CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Okanagan Valley
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
Similkameen Valley
Orofino Winery Farm-to-table Dinner Series
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
The Kitchen at Fort Berens Estate Winery
BEST PATIO
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
The Kitchen at Fort Berens Estate Winery
BEST TASTING ROOM
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
BEST VIEW
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
BEST ARCHITECTURE
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
BEST WINERY PET
Okanagan Valley
Buddha at Bella Wines
Similkameen Valley
Cooper the golden retriever at Orofino Winery
Emerging Regions
Chickens at Fort Berens Winery
BEST WINERY ACCOMMODATION
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vineyard Suites at Orofino Winery
BEST KEPT SECRET
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
BEST PLACE TO BRING OUT-OF-TOWNERS
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
BEST WINERY TOUR
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Emerging Regions
BEST WINERY EXPERIENCE OVERALL
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island
Emerging Regions
Plan your next trip to BC Wine Country here: Explore.winebc.com
About The British Columbia Wine Institute:
Since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. The BCWI markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of the industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.
The BCWI represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – currently drawing 1,000,000 visitors with $600 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact every year. For more information about BC Wine Institute’s programs and services, please visit WineBC.com.
For details on BC VQA and the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com or WineBC.org, like the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and follow @WineBCdotcom on Twitter and Instagram.
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The Best of BC Wine Country Awards are back – vote for your ‘Best of’ with Wines of British Columbia!
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